Tennis racket and the like



June 14, 1938. w. B. F. HALL TENNIS RACKET AND THE LIKE Filed June 22, 1936 Patented June 14, 1938 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE Application June 22,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in tennis, squash, badminton, ping pong and like rackets, and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly set forth in the appended claims.

Games in which rackets of the types mentioned are used require such strenuous activity that the player usually perspires freely. Such perspiration is particularly objectionable in the racket-holding hand. It not only affects the grip but also makes the hand uncomfortable which adversely afiects play.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a racket with a novel handle structure wherein the grip portion is ventilated to cool the hand and thus enable better gripping of the handle and to keep the latter in a drier condition.

Another object of the invention is 'to provide a racket so constructed that when it is swung in one direction in a plane at a right angle to the face of the string frame, air enters the handle from the throat end and discharges out through the grip portion and when swung in the other direction in said plane, air is drawn into the handle through the grip portion and discharged out through the throat end of the handle, to keep both the hand and the grip portion of the handle in a relatively cool, dry and non-slippery condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide a racket with a handle having a non-slip and ventilated grip portion, which does not increase the weight, nor impair the strength of the racket.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a racket with a handle having a positive ventilated grip portion which is practicable to produce under modern methods and which does not add unusual weight, appearance or feel or adversely affect balance.

- The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others, together with the several advantages thereof, will more fully appear as the specification proceeds.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a tennis racket embodying the preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the handle on an enlarged scale, the throat portion of the racket appearing in elevation;

- Fig. 3 is a longitudinal detail sectional view through the throat end of the handle as taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a transverse detail sectional view through the hand gripportion of the handle as taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

1936, Serial No. 86,471

For purposes of specific illustration and notby way of limitation, a tennis racket has been shown and will be described.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing:

5 indicates the string frame of the racket and 6 indicates the handle thereof which joins the frame by means of a throat portion .1. The frame and handle as well as the throat may be made of any suitable material and as herein shown are-made of Wood. At the free end of the handle, there is an annular shoulder 8 for engagement by the heel of the hand for the purpose well known.

The handle may be of any desired cross sectional shape and as herein shown, is substantially rectangular having the front and rear faces 9 and i8, side faces I! and I2 and bevelled corners l3. In this instance, by the term front and rear faces is meant those faces arranged parallel the playing surfaces of the string frame.

Preferably, axially in the handle is a longitudinally extending passage [4f This passage which may be formed by boring into the handle from its free end, is closed at said end by a plug I5. The other end of said passage extends substantially into the throat portion 1 where it communicates with an outwardly flaring opening 16 in one face of said throat portion.

That part of the handle toward the shoulder v8 and which is the part gripped by the hand in play, I herein term the grip portion of the handle. In this grip portion are formed longitudinally extending and preferably square cut grooves I8 which open through the free end of the handle under the shoulder 8. As shown herein, there are two of such grooves 'in'each face and one of such grooves in each bevelled corner. Holes 19 are formed in the grip portion and these holes all open at one end into the passage l4 and open at the other end into an associated groove.

In the use of the racket, the players hand grips the grip portion in the usual manner. Due to the presence of the grooves I8, a good grip is had upon said portion. The racket cannot accidently turn in the hand either in making a fore-handor a back-hand swing.

In making a swing or stroke with the opening l6 facing in the direction of the swing or stroke, atmospheric air is forced into the passage 14 from the throat end thereof and is discharged outwardly through the openings I9 into the grooves IS. The air evaporates the perspiration on the playing hand and not only dries the grip portion but also cools the hand. Thus, both the grip portion and the playing hand are maintained in a good playing condition. In a backhand swing or stroke, the opening IS in the throat faces in a direction opposite the direction of the swing or stroke. This produces a subatmospheric pressure about the back of the throat in the vicinity in which the opening 16 is located. Thus air enters the grooves l8 to pass under the enveloping part of the hand gripping the grip portion and then passes through the holes l9 into the passage [4 and out of the opening l6. Thus a breathing action occurs through the handle and grip portion in accordance with the swings or strokes made.

The grip portion as well as the hand, remains substantially dry and this in connection with the grooves l8 eliminate possibility of the handle turning axially in or slipping endwise of the hand during play. The grip portion of the handle not only provides thatfeelinthe players handwhich is conducive to good playing of the game, but it is also of such construction that it can be readily manufactured.

While in describing the invention, I have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the parts thereof, the same is to be considered only in the illustrative sense so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A racket or similar article embodying therein an object striking portion and a handle portion, there being a longitudinal passageway in the handle portion which is closed at the free end thereof and there being openings in the handle portion communicating with said passageway, said passageway and openings being so relatively arranged therein that when the racket is swung in one direction in a plane at a right angle to one face of the object striking portion, air enters the handle from a point remote from the free end of the handle for discharge out through the grip portion of the handle and when said racket is swung in the other direction, air enters the handle through the grip portion for a discharge at a point remote from the free end of the handle.

2. A racket or similar article embodying therein an object striking portion and a handle joining the same by means of a throat, the handle having openings in its grip portion and a longitudinal passageway, said passageway being closed toward the outer end of the handle and opening through the throat, said openings and passageway being so relatively arranged in the handle that when the racket is swung in one direction in a plane at a right angle to one face of the object striking portion, air enters the handle from the throat end and discharges out through the grip portion of the handle, and when said racket is swung in the other direction in said plane, air enters the handle through said grip portion and discharges out through the throat end thereof.

3. A racket or similar article embodying therein an object striking portion and a handle joining the same, there being a longitudinal passageway in the handle which is closed at the free end of .the handle, the handle having a hand grip portion with holes therein that open at one end through the outside of said grip portion and open at their other end into the passageway, said passageway having an opening to atmosphere at a point remote from the free end of the handle.

4. A racket or similar article embodying therein an object striking portion and a handle joining the same by means of a throat, there being a longitudinal passageway in the handle which opens through one side of said throat end of the handle and is closed at the free end of the handle, the handle having a hand grip portion with holes therein that open at one end through the outside of said grip portion and open at their other end into the passageway.

5. A racket or similar article embodying therein an object striking portion and a handle there- I for, there being a longitudinal passageway in the handle communicating with atmosphere at a point remote from the free end of the handle and being closed at the free end of said handle, the handle having a hand grip portion with grooves therein, said grip portion also having holes therein that communicate at their ends with said grooves and passageway respectively.

6. A racket or similar article embodying therein an object striking portion and a handle joining the same by means of a throat in one face of which is a flaring opening that communicates with one end of a longitudinal passage in the handle, the other end of said passage at the free end of the handle being closed, the handle having holes in said grip portion which communicate at their ends with said passage and atmosphere respectively.

'7. A racket or like article embodying therein an object striking portion and a handle portion joining the same, there being an opening remote from the free end of the handle that communicates with one end of a longitudinal passage in the handle, the other end of said passage at the free end of the handle being closed, means providing a shoulder about the free end of said handle, there being external longitudinal grooves in the grip portion of the handle that open through the free end of the handle under said shoulder means, the grip portion also having holes therein that open at their ends into said groovesand passageway respectively. I

8. A racket or similar article embodying therein an object striking portion and a handle portion, there being a longitudinal passageway in the handle portion which is closed at that end toward the outer end of the handle portion and opens laterally at that end toward the inner end of the handle portion, there being lateral openings in an intermediate part of the handle portion that communicate with said passageway, said passageway and openings being so relatively arranged therein that when the racket is swung in one direction in a plane at a right angle to one face of the object striking portion, air enters the handle from a point remote from the free end of the handle for discharge out through the grip portion of the handle.

WILLIAM B. F. HALL. 

